Carbon Offset Programme for the Tokyo 2020 Games

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) has published its Sustainability Plan Version 2. “Towards Zero Carbon”, Tokyo 2020 takes energy-saving measures and uses renewable energy to reduce CO₂ emissions generated during the preparation phase and during the actual Games. Furthermore, Tokyo 2020 implements appropriate carbon offset measures by using credits that fulfil a certain concept.

Tokyo 2020 has launched its Carbon Offset Programme in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefecture that adopt the cap and trade system. Progress will be published on the Tokyo 2020 website.

For Tokyo 2020, equally important as the Carbon Offset Programme is to spread the efforts of reducing CO₂ emissions across Japan and throughout the world as a legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Tokyo 2020 encourages citizens to adopt actions to reduce/absorb CO₂ emissions through the Tokyo 2020 website. The first case driven by the Tokyo 2020 Games is City of Yokohama, which has implemented energy-saving actions involving the participation of its citizens. Additional activities will be presented on the Tokyo 2020 website.

The concept of carbon offset credits for the Tokyo 2020 Games:

The project requires the additionality.*

Double counting of carbon credits must be avoided. Transactions shall be recorded, and an independent system (directories and/or transaction logs) that enables an objective verification is necessary.

The project must be validated and verified by an independent audit agency.

The project must not have a negative effect on the society, the economy and the environment in which it takes place. Preferably it will bring benefits. Specifically, an explanation about its contribution to SDGs must be provided.

*Additional environmental effect compared to the state before the project.